Also, it's interesting to read about a divide between "old" Surprise east of Grand Avenue and newer developments west of that road. It's easy from a Central Phoenix perspective to see all of Surprise as a sprawl stereotype, but classic "wrong side of the tracks" divisions can arise even in outer suburbs.

From now on, you don't have to go to Tempe store anymore. Because it was too far away from there.

Excellent high visibility location adjacent to Westgate and the Cardinals stadium. However, I bet American Furniture Warehouse cannot be too pleased with that announcement. That will put IKEA practically next door to them. Good for the consumer though.

And, many of IKEA customers live in apartments so I'm sure they've done their due diligence and expect a lot of apartment growth on the Westside. This is definitely a confidence move on conditions in the Valley.

The first and second floors — currently trashed with plywood, ripped walls, nails, dust and cat feces — will house eight to nine rooms, Halbert said. If money allows, the third floor will be redone into an event space with a bar and open balconies, he said.

Halbert, who bought the property for about $160,000, said he plans to invest about $300,000 in the property.